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OTTAWA — The Conservative government announced Friday it will no longer be a champion of asbestos on the world stage, effectively conceding the end of the asbestos industry in Quebec with a promise of up to $50 million to diversify the economy of the mining communities.

Industry Minister Christian Paradis, who represents a riding at the heart of Quebec's asbestos mining region, said he didn't want to abandon the industry, but said Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois left Ottawa no choice. During the summer campaign, Marois, who is now premier-designate of Quebec, promised to cancel an $58-million government loan to revive the Jeffrey Mine, signalling the end to Quebec's long history of asbestos production.e

The federal government's policy change of heart, unveiled in Thetford Mines by the government's Quebec lieutenant, means Canada will no longer block international efforts, through the United Nations' Rotterdam Convention, to place limits on the export of asbestos.

"It would be illogical for Canada to oppose the inclusion of chrysotile (asbestos) in Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention when Quebec, the only province that produces chrysotile, will prohibit its exploitation," Paradis told reporters, saying it was clear the decision Marois is final, so it wasn't a time for "academic" consultations.

"Our region will have to live with the consequences of Mrs. Marois' decision, but we will continue to work together on the continued economic development of the community," added Paradis.

Until now, the Canadian government, under both the Liberals and the Conservatives, has supported the industry by blocking the listing of chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous material on Annex III of the UN convention.

Materials listed on this annex require Prior Informed Consent (PIC) — meaning that before countries export the goods listed on it, they must inform importers of the risks and precautionary measures for safe handling, to which importers must consent. Because the convention operates by consensus, any one country can block a listing simply by objecting.

At the most recent international meeting in June 2011, the Canadian delegation remained silent during the proceedings until consensus was emerging to list the deadly fibre as hazardous. After India and Ukraine indicated they could support the listing, the Canadian delegation spoke up to say Canada objected.

The head of the delegation acknowledged that the guidance document of the UN's scientific panel, which included its recommendation to list chrysotile asbestos on Annex III of the convention, was "appropriate and the criteria for listing was met." But Canada was not in a position to support the listing, the delegation told the world.

NDP MP Pat Martin, who has been fighting to ban asbestos mining since he was first elected in 1997, said Canada's about-face is the right thing to do, but called the announcement "a missed opportunity on the minister's part. He would have got great credit had he said simply, 'You know what, asbestos kills and we're no longer going to prop up and support this deadly industry.' Instead, he's blaming Marois for killing these jobs," Martin, a former miner, said.

"It's a cowardly way out of it and to do it on a Friday afternoon says that they're not entirely comfortable with their position."

Internal records released to Postmedia News earlier this year show the federal government acknowledged years ago that the dangers of chrysotile asbestos warranted limits on exports, but still fought against international restrictions over the past decade.

The government's announcement on Friday follows a reversal of fortune for the industry.

Last November, production halted at the country's two asbestos mines, in the Quebec towns of Thetford Mines and Asbestos, for the first time in 130 years. At that time, there were fewer than 500 mining jobs left in Quebec, a huge drop from a generation ago.

Between 1979 and 1984, a worldwide recession and a growing scientific consensus linking asbestos exposure to cancer led to a dramatic reduction in industry revenues — to $400 million a year from about $800 million — and a drop in Canadian jobs to 4,000 from about 8,000.

After the suspension of production last November, a consortium in Asbestos announced negotiations with the Quebec government were ongoing for a $58-million loan guarantee to open an underground mine at the Jeffrey Mine and export the mineral to developing countries.

The PQ promised in the final days of the recent election campaign that if it formed government, it would cancel the loan and invest the money in economic diversification for the asbestos-producing region.

Martin said Friday's development in Canada should have ripple effects around the world.

"Let's face it, the jig is up for the asbestos industry and this could well be the death rattle of the global trade of asbestos. The international asbestos cartel has been dining out on Canada's boy scout image for decades by saying that, 'Look, if a nice country like Canada thinks it can be handled safely, then we should believe them.' That's been a huge benefit to the asbestos pedlars around the world."

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